Grapeviney

without getting into a debate on media standards (and yes I do think they are on the slippery slope) i wasn't really comparing talkback radio to print journalism. they are different beasts. i do think it's valid, however, to use talkback radio as a measure of public opinion, and the same would go for this forum.. it's not unreasonable to say - and not uncommon to see - sentences such as "talkback callers flooded the airwaves to call for coach x' sacking or rule y to be changed".. that doesn't make it an accurate reflection of community sentiment, just a selection of the views that are out there

whether he's a genuine what? poster? what's the alternative? that he's an automated bot that produces opinions on cale morton ? no it's not. in the context, the poster's identity is irrelevant to the story. the only qualification is that the poster be a melbourne supporter with an opinion. it makes no difference whether robbie57 is a 14-y.o girl or a 73 y.o grandfather if - for example - the forum was comprised only of former melbourne players, then you'd have an argument for unmasking the poster's identity. if the journo wrote "a former player has demanded mark neeld be sacked" the public would rightly be curious whether it was a recent player, or a premiership champion, or someone who's always been embittered etc etc. but in thist context it doesn't matter diddly squat whether robbie 57 is arthur or martha, they're a melbourne supporter with an opinion really don't know why you're making such a song and dance about attribution and identity. if talkback is flooded with callers baying for neeld's blood does it really matter whether its kevin from sunshine who's on the phone or ivan from ivanhoe?

Yeh I was pretty surprised that he used such strong language so early in the season It may have been warranted had we gone through the entire year playing as we did against Sydney, but it was jumping the gun at 0-8 Funny how last year when we defeated Essendon, Bailey and the team were criticised for their jubilation and celebrations at the siren, yet this year Neeld and co were feted for the same

for what it's worth Redleg, Don McLardy was on 3AW last week and he absolutely ripped into Sheahan over those comments - really genuinely angry. Sheahan has also mentioned several times how McLardy rang him first thing in the morning when the article came out and tore him a new one privately. I'm glad he got the chance to do it publicly too, although Mike was wearing it as a badge of honour of course

jamar has been a great asset to this club... shouldnt be too hard to bash out a few hundred words

pretty much sums it up for me redleg, especially the bit about jurrah i was so excited pre-season in anticipation of the dazzling feats he was going to perform but the x-factor has been missing from his game this year and while he might be grabbing a couple of goals a match, he's really failed to impose himself on games - 2nd quarter effort against Port notwithstanding